Almost there...but am I ready?

So, I am having a baby in a couple of days. I'm still a little in denial...which has been made easier by a pretty easy pregnancy. My only complaint at this point is that my hip is a little out-of-whack on the left side. This same thing happened to me when I was pregnant with Julia, but it happened much earlier (so I'm trying to just feel lucky and grateful). Has this happened to any of you? It actually feels like my hip is coming out of the joint when I first start up walking. It's not so bad if I keep moving along, but starting from a stopped position is very painful. It was particularly bad over the weekend, which led to me doing a ton of Internet research about it. I discovered that this is common in women of Scandinavian descent. Strange. I'm a good deal Swedish, so maybe that's why. I would say it's because I'm out of shape and my muscles aren't strong, but back problems are something that I just never, ever have.

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Even with this new hip pain wrinkle, I've enjoyed this pregnancy and I'm going to be a little sad not to be pregnant anymore. It has really all gone so well and has even been so much better and easier than the last time around. I managed to gain only about 20 pounds, my blood pressure has stayed very low (I was induced with Julia when my BP got too high), my ankles aren't swollen at all. Plus, the baby moves so much, and it is so fun and interesting to watch my belly get kicked and bumped from inside. It has been a complete joy to have my almost-8-year-old little girl experience this pregnancy with me. She is very always happy to rub my stomach and look for the exact position of the baby. Plus she talks to her, sings to her and reads to her—it's very sweet. I think the baby loves Julia's voice because there is lots of movement when Julia is talking to her. My wistfulness is also compounded by the fact that this is my last pregnancy. I know, I know, never say never...but I am 39 and it took us 8 years to decide that we could manage to have/afford baby number two, so I'm pretty sure this is it.

In the end, though, I guess we don't get a choice. The baby is definitely coming out. So I'm looking ahead and thinking about the joys that are soon to come with my new teeny-tiny little baby. From kissing her little feet and soaking in that yummy baby smell to laughing at that drunken look they get after nursing.

I will keep you all posted on how it is going with baby number two and with baby number one's reaction to the whole thing. Cross your fingers for all of us!

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